Google Tries Taskbar Compact On Android 15 For Regular Phones

JAKARTA - Through the revival of foldable phones and Android tablets, Google continues to introduce new features designed for larger screens. One of the flagship features is a persistent taskbar, first introduced on Android 12L, which presents desktop-like settings on tablets and foldable phones.

Interestingly, Android flexibility allows users with standard-sized devices running Android 12L and 13 access this feature through developer options, although this results in compatibility problems with various OEMs. To solve this problem, Google appears to be adjusting the taskbar to work smoothly on smaller screens without the need for manual adjustments such as display scale.

Moshaal Rahman of Android Authority found that the latest Android 15 beta includes a compact task bar for regular phones. Just like on foldable phones and tablets, you can enable this task bar on phones with friction part of the bottom of the screen. However, this version is simpler, featuring only four apps and shortcuts to the app drawer.

Although this feature is not yet available through regular settings, Rahman has successfully opened a hidden taskbar function. The demo video shows this taskbar allows users to run two applications at once on the screen.

This task bar is located on top of an open app, allowing you to switch between apps without returning to the main screen. Its function is mainly to support multitasking with split-screen views and floating windows. While various Android phone makers may customize it, the core feature should stay the same. To save space, you can set the taskbar to hide automatically or stay visible.

This feature restores the feel of Google's first motion navigation in Android 9.0 Pie, especially in terms of application drawer management. It uses a pill button that functions as a home button and a swipe target. You can tap it or use a basic motion similar to the current one. Swiping upward once displays a multitasking display with your latest five apps, looking like part of your home screen thanks to Google's "quickstep" feature. Swiping again will feature an app drawer, as if you swiped it from the dock.

However, the quickstep feature doesn't run smoothly with third-party launchers on Android 9.0 only working with a mod root. Google switched to full motion navigation on Android 10, allowing third-party launchers to be integrated, but they removed the expanded app drawer feature. And the system still has an oddity.

Currently, the taskbar is a common view on Android tablets, such as Pixel Tablets, and large foldable phones like the Galaxy Z Fold series. However, the size design doesn't match the small screen. Rahman's findings hint that Android 15 may carry a compact version of the taskbar, making it more useful for a variety of devices.

Although the mini taskbar on Android 15 looks promising, there is no official information on when this feature will be available to the public. However, the potential benefits of this feature are clear.